The Doctor of Law (DLaw) is a professional doctorate which provides relevant professionals with the opportunity to take work-based problems, study them from a perspective that blends theoretical insights from academic study with the knowledge, practice, and skills they have acquired in their specialist field.
It is a part-time programme structured to facilitate those in full-time employment. The programme is designed to provide a structured and supportive learning experience that will enhance a solicitor’s theoretical understanding of their profession and will assist in the development of practice, through critical insight and evaluation, building on academic and research skills acquired via formal subject delivery and the doctoral research subsequently conducted. The research may be doctrinal, perhaps in a practice based area such as criminal justice and evidence, or the law in action in areas such as human rights or data collection and privacy or legal education. Those who complete the Professional Doctorate in Law will have made a significant and original contribution to the creation and interpretation of a body of knowledge and who is at the forefront of practice development. The programme aims to enable candidates to:
- To acquire a range of research skills and to be able to apply these to the conceptualisation, design and implementation of a project, adjusting design in the light of unforeseen problems;
- To be able to translate ideas into a form understandable by and meaningful to their profession;
- To produce a thesis or portfolio of original quality in the professional area;
- To disseminate /publish that research and its outcomes to the professional audience.
The taught element of the programme is assessed by the Proposal Assignment and the research element is assessed by submission of the final thesis or portfolio culminating in a viva voce examination with two independent examiners.
During the programme, candidates will develop their research skills and critical abilities as autonomous practitioners in the legal profession. The programme has been designed to provide a means of progression from an established academic knowledge base of a Masters qualification in law and/or an equivalent qualification with professional work experience in legal practice. The programme contains a number of methods by which the candidate may enhance their personal development and career progression. This will also impact on the profession as a whole. These methods include: research appreciation giving an opportunity to develop research as a craft; team working; project management; leadership; ability to use and enable others to use R&D to advance practice; collaborative learning in a multi-professional context.
Who should attend
The programme is open only to Irish qualified lawyers and is designed for two kinds of candidate- first, those with a professional experience and a Master’s degree within last five years; and second, those with professional experience but without a Master’s degree .
The Taught Element
The candidate will be required to successfully complete the Advanced Research Methods Module 30 (credits) which takes place during the first six months of the programme. This module builds on candidates' previous research skills and knowledge of research techniques to further enhance understanding of methodologies, methods and advanced techniques that are central to developing a coherent and well-argued research proposal.
During the taught element of the programme students will also be required to develop and submit a research proposal. The research proposal will constitute not only the module assignment but also bridges from the taught component to the research component of the programme.
The Research phase
The programme of independent research begins once the proposal assignment has been accepted. The candidate and their supervisory team meet regularly (a minimum of monthly with the principal supervisor) and record their progress through the e-vision online recordkeeping system. Each year, the panel re-convenes to assess written evidence of the candidate’s work (for example, a literature review chapter or an analysis of data) and to re-consider the shape of the research project as a whole, so that the candidate remains on track for a timely completion. Recommendations can be made at these progression points for additional training and support for the candidate or changes and additions to the supervisory team. It is recognised that the doctoral process is a complex and emergent one and the programme aims to provide flexibility and support throughout.
The final artefact of the Professional Doctorate in Law can be either a thesis document, normally of a doctoral format familiar in the social sciences or a portfolio submission. The assessment criteria are the same for both routes: the candidate must demonstrate critical engagement with the field and show a contribution to knowledge and practice.
Our doctoral researchers are key to the School’s research activities, and we work hard to ensure that they are fully engaged with staff and projects across all of our legal disciplines.
You will find opportunities in the following fields:
company and commercial law
comparative law
constitutional and administrative law
criminal law
criminology and criminal justice
environmental law
European law, policy and institutions
European private law
evidence and procedure
family law
gender and sexuality
human rights law
information technology law
intellectual property law
international law
labour law
legal theory
media law
medical law and ethics
What is a PhD by Distance Learning?
A PhD by Distance Learning allows you to undertake the majority of your research at an off-campus location. You are therefore able to do the research required for your PhD in a location of your choosing; only making one annual visit to the University.
Why study by distance learning?
The main advantage of studying by distance learning is the opportunity to undertake research supervised by one of our world-renowned academics without having to relocate geographically to the Birmingham region. The flexibility offered by distance learning will allow you to combine study with other commitments, including work and family.
Is the distance learning route for you?
The distance learning route to PhD study is not for everyone. You need to have a very clear idea of your research project and be able to motivate yourself. Undertaking PhD study off campus can sometimes be quite isolating, so the ability to proactively seek out connections from within relevant research communities is important. This route is well-suited to those who have a project associated with their work or particular interests and where resources are available locally to support your research e.g. appropriate archives and data collections.
